Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-05-13

started out by putin on airs an get
tin above nv business? But didn't.
! l stuck to my trade, and now where
am 1? Where am 1, eb?"
Fright here, Sammy, right here"
replied Mr.. Slabton, near and dear
friend, who acted in the capacity OF
village sexton.
Eyes, right here, as fixture and a
success; does anyone dispute that"
The awful silence which followed
this query was its only answer.
Now, how did l do it," continued
Mr.. Gadford, in a slightly mollifed
voice, "By mindin' my own bis'ness
an lettin' the fine arts alone. Jerry
Altman will never build up charac-
ter in this country. He's a dividin'
himself too much; an house, as the
Scriptures plainly say, divided agin'
itself, great will be the fall thereof"
Reckon you haven't heard the
news?" inquired Mr.. Oliver, who did
not not appear particularly overpow-
cred.
"No! What news?" from the liar
Dor in chorus.
"Got his patent yesterday. Told
me all about it. Something new, too
"a pIow harrow; that is, barrow
so made that it can be attached to
any plow, and level the ground as it
is turned over. He's had an offer for
the State already, but says he will
manufacture it himself. He's started
the old Sadlet shop, and will start as
soon as be can get things together.
That is all. I'll be around to-mor-
row, as usual" and the old man limp
ed slowly away.
silas Upton was a good business
man. Not ouly was be convinced Of
this himself, but the community at
large held the same opinion. But
good business men sometimes make
mistakes Mr.. Upton had done SO.
Such a simple thing, too. He had
only written bis name below that of
friend, mere to comply with a mat
ter of form. His friend had unfor-
tunately failed in his enterprise and
left the country; and Mr.. Upton woke
up one morning to find himself called
upon to pay note of several thous-
and dollars. This he did in his usual
brusque, business-like manner, fully
aware that he would have nothing
left-that he would be ruined man.
Everybody wondered chow he was
going to get along now" They
shook hands mounfully with him,
and in q detected manner. with the
cheerful suggestion that, after all, cit
might be worse you know" which
was comforting indeed.
Jerry Altman, blacksmith, was
making a success of bis business. He
had got all the capital he wanted by
selling some territory, and no more
was for sale at any price. He had
turned manufacturer himself, and was
still scheming, and this was what
brought him down to Gadford's Har-
Dor 80 early in the morning. The
proprietor of that resort was hard at
work, and he greeted our hero with a
sullen nod,
Jerry didn't seem to notice his cold
reception at all He was too full of
business for such small matters. IL
have come to make you an Offer" he
said, deliberately.
II don't want no offerl" replied his
old master, intent upon his work.
"I'll make it anyway. My patent
is success. l never expected 30
simple thing to meet the approba-
tion of everybody. Orders are COM
ing in 30 rapidly | cannot fill them.
Now, | want to let out the contract
for the iron work to some man mas
ter Of his business. You are that
man. If / prove to you that accept
ance Of this contract will net you
three dollars to the one you now re-
ceiye, will you take hold of it?"
Mr.. Gadford laid down his hammer,
took off his hat and scratched his bald
head in O feeling manner, as he glan-
ced with a dismayed look at his
former apprentice. He saw his OPP
portunity. The voice OF the COM
munity was too strong for him now.
He knew this young man was q
power, and he felt it, Had he dealt
fairly with the younsterY No, he
hadn't. Then why should the
youngster deal fairly with him? This
was his religion. 1t was very poor
one, but it was the best he had.
II amt in no shape TO ask favors
Of you Jerry Altman" he answered
stifIly.
"Wby, I am not comforting favor,
! am asking one, Mr. Gadford. Lit
tie do / care what you have said. IL
is sign Of small timber to bend be-
fore every blast. Come, now, let's
figure little; and as you are pretty
good in that line, prove me wrong IF
you can"
Mr.. Silas Upton had almost made
up his made up his mind to move to
the county seat He had the offer of
clerkship at a very small salary, but
that was better than nothing. A
loud knock at the door reused him
from his half formed decision. He
opened it, and in walked Jerry Alt
man.
Il called to pay you a debt Of
gratitude, sir," he said, in his blunt
way.
debt of gratitude? / do not under
stand" replied Mr.. Upton as he
handed his visitor chair.
81 stand your debtor, neverthe-
less" returned our hero, az he unroll-
ed small package and produced q
pair of suspenders. "Do you recog-
nize them, sir?o
w-I think do" stammered the
merchant, with painful flush.
"Theae are the very ones | bought
and paid for that memorable Satur-
day evening after received my
weeks wages Of two dollars. ] never
wore them. took them home and
laid them away. When / felt like
asking credit in any enterprise since
then / haye looked them over before
coming to q decision, and they Fave
always carried the day. Whatever
Of success ] make or will make, dates
from the time ! purchased this sim